Method for Producing a Tight, Form-Fitting Connection

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for producing a tight, form-fitting connection between a housing cover ( 1 ) and a housing body ( 2 ), cover plates ( 3 ) being formed on the edge of the housing cover ( 1 ), and regions ( 7, 8 ) being arranged on the edge of the housing body ( 2 ), for receiving the cover plates ( 3 ), enabling the positioning of the housing cover ( 1 ) on the housing body ( 2 ) and the production of the tight, form-fitting connection in a single operation with a single tool ( 5, 6 ). Once the housing cover ( 1 ) has been positioned on the housing body ( 2 ), the cover plates ( 3 ) are shaped in such a way as to produce the tight, form-fitting connection in the regions ( 7, 8 ) of the housing body ( 2 ).

The invention relates to a method for producing a tight, form-fitting connection between a housing cover and a housing body in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

With the production of controller housings, in particular of control devices for the automotive industry, the housing cover is usually connected with the housing body by means of gluing, riveting or screwing. Here, usually in a first operation the housing cover is positioned on the housing body by means of a suitable positioning tool. Subsequently, the connection between the housing cover and the housing body is produced by means of a further tool.

It is, therefore, the object of the invention to create a simple and cost-saving method which makes it possible to connect a housing cover with a housing body in an automated production.

This object is achieved according to invention by a method with the features of claim 1.

The method according to the invention describes the production of a tight, form-fitting connection between a housing cover and a housing body, for the example of a controller housing, as it is used in the automotive industry. Cover plates are arranged on the edge of the housing cover. On the edge of the housing body regions are arranged for receiving the cover plates. The regions on the edge of the housing body can be embodied as continuous recesses or as blind holes. Preferably, the positioning of the housing cover on the housing body and the production of the tight, form-fitting connection is performed in a single operation with a single tool. Once the housing cover has been positioned on the housing body, the cover plates are shaped in such a way as to produce the tight, form-fitting connection between the housing cover and the housing body in the regions of the housing body. Thus, the method is accelerated and more cost-effective by the saving of tools and separate connection means such as screws or rivets.

For increasing the tightness of the connection, between the housing cover and the housing body advantageously a circumferential seal, e.g. of polyethylene, can be arranged. The seal can be arranged alternatively on the housing cover or on the housing body, depending on the installation position. The seal can in particular be injection-molded or can be embodied as an insertion seal.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of an example of embodiment of the invention on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the production of the connection, wherein on the edge of a housing body a continuous recess is embodied,

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the production of the connection, wherein on the edge of the housing body a blind hole is embodied, and

FIG. 6 shows a housing cover with cover plates.

FIG. 1 shows a housing made of a housing cover (1) and a housing body (2). On the edge of the housing cover (1) a plurality of cover plates (3) is formed, as is shown in FIG. 6. On the edge of the housing body (2) a plurality of regions is arranged, wherein one region each can be receive a cover plate (3). In FIG. 1 the region is embodied as a continuous recess (7). The cover plate (3) already partly protrudes into the recess (7). The tool (5, 6) is embodied in two pieces, of a positioning tool (5) and a deforming tool (6).

In FIG. 2 a circumferential O-ring seal (4) is inserted into a corresponding groove on the housing body (2) and the positioning tool (5) has positioned the housing cover (1) by means of the cover plates (3).

In FIG. 3 the housing cover (1) is positioned on the housing body (2) by the positioning tool (5). Simultaneously, the deforming tool (6) has flanged the cover plate (3) around the edge of the housing body (2). Between the housing cover (1) and the housing body (2) thus a tight, form-fitting connection is produced in a single operation with a single tool (5, 6).

FIG. 4 shows the initial situation as in FIG. 1, however, here the region on the edge of the housing body (2) is embodied as a blind hole (8) for receiving a cover plate (3). As in FIG. 4, here the cover plate (3) is already preformed.

In FIG. 5 the O-ring seal (4) is inserted into a corresponding groove on the housing body (2). The housing cover (1) is positioned in a single operation on the housing body (2) by the positioning tool (5) and the cover plate (3) is positively grouted in the blind hole (8). In particular the direction of the contact pressure can be achieved by varying the height difference of the points A and B in the blind hole (8). Thus a tight, form-fitting connection between the housing cover (1) and the housing body (2) is produced in a single operation with a single tool (5, 6).

Advantageously, as is indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the positioning tool (5) and the deforming tool (6), are spring-loaded for the example by the spring (9). Thus, in particular rough tolerances of the individual housing parts (1, 2, 3, 7, 8) are made up, which leads to a cost saving mainly with regard to the material. Another advantage of the method is that by omission of the connection means, such as rivets or screws, the wall thickness of the housing cover (1) can be kept small.

FIG. 6 shows a housing cover (1) with two cover plates (3) each at one side. The number of the cover plates (3) per side can vary as needed. 

1. A method for producing a tight, form-fitting connection between a housing cover (1) and a housing body (2), cover plates (3) being formed on the edge of the housing cover (1), and regions (7, 8) being arranged on the edge of the housing body (2), for receiving the cover plates (3), characterized in that the positioning of the housing cover (1) on the housing body (2) and the production of the tight, form-fitting connection is performed in a single operation with a single tool (5, 6), wherein once the housing cover (1) has been positioned on the housing body (2), the cover plates (3) are shaped in such a way as to produce the tight, form-fitting connection in the regions (7, 8) of the housing body (2).
 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the regions are embodied as continuous recesses (7) on the edge of the housing body (2) and the cover plates (3) are flanged around the edge of the housing body (2).
 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the regions are embodied as blind holes (8) on the edge of the housing body (2) and the cover plate (3) is compressed in the blind hole (8). 4-6. (canceled)
 7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that between the housing cover (1) and the housing body (2) a circumferential seal (4) is arranged.
 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the circumferential seal (4) is arranged on the housing cover (1).
 9. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the circumferential seal (4) is arranged on the housing body (2).
 10. A method of securing a housing cover on a housing body, comprising steps: a) using a tool, positioning said housing cover on said housing body so that at least one edge portion of said housing cover respectively aligns with at least one receiving portion of said housing body; b) further using said tool, deforming said at least one edge portion of said housing cover to respectively engage said at least one receiving portion of said housing body, thereby establishing a tight form-fitting connection of said housing cover onto said housing body, which secures said housing cover on said housing body; wherein said positioning and said deforming are both performed in a single operation using said tool.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said at least one edge portion of said housing cover includes plural cover tabs protruding from an edge of a main cover portion of said housing cover.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said at least one receiving portion of said housing body includes a protruding rim at an edge of said housing body, and said deforming comprises bending said cover tabs of said housing cover around said protruding rim of said housing body.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said at least one receiving portion of said housing body includes plural blind holes at an edge area of said housing body, and said deforming comprises bending said cover tabs of said housing cover respectively into engagement in said blind holes.
 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said at least one receiving portion of said housing body includes a protruding rim at an edge of said housing body, and said deforming comprises bending said at least one edge portion of said housing cover around said protruding rim of said housing body.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein said at least one receiving portion of said housing body includes at least one blind hole at an edge area of said housing body, and said deforming comprises bending said at least one edge portion of said housing cover respectively into engagement in said blind holes.
 16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, before said step a), arranging an elastic perimeter seal member between said housing cover and said housing body around a perimeter of a housing cavity enclosed between said housing cover and said housing body, so that said tight form-fitting connection established in said step b) is tightly sealed by said elastic perimeter seal member.
 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein said tool includes a first tool member and a second tool member, said positioning comprises moving said first tool member relative to said housing body such that said first tool member properly positions a respective said edge portion of said housing cover on said housing body, and said deforming comprises moving said second tool member relative to said first tool member and relative to said housing body such that said second tool member deforms said respective edge portion of said housing cover so as to thereby engage said respective edge portion of said housing cover with a respective said receiving portion of said housing body.
 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein said single operation includes said positioning and said deforming as directly successive steps in sequence using said tool. 